2013 Honda motorcycles
 

I have never had a bike but have always wanted one, the Ducati Monster 696 is what i've had my eye on but there isn't a dealer close anymore so i happen to look at Honda's site today and saw a 500cc bike i really like.
http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cb500f.aspx
http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content...CB500F_001.jpg

They also have a CB500R model with more streetbike style bodywork and a CB500x "adventure" bike. The F model is only $5500 which is a lot less than the other bikes i was looking at. I wish it had the DCT transmission available that the NC700x has available maybe they will offer it in the next year or so.

Another option will be the KTM Duke 390, by the way i'm 5'8 and about 150 pounds so i don't need a huge bike with 100hp.
http://static.zigwheels.com/media/ph...-1_640x480.jpg

Either of those would be great bikes. I'd look around for a Ducati mechanic. You can always find a bike somewhere else.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...133D830DC8.jpg

I traveled a few hours to get mine. It's an amazing bike, but this one isn't for a beginner. A newer 796 would be a great bike and would keep you interested longer than the 696.

Nice, i've liked the Monsters ever since they came out. I'm liking the KTM a lot it's "supposed" to be available here late next year but we'll see. I think it only weighs 330lbs. The Honda is 430 but thats fully gassed up and ready to go.

Don't forget the Triump Street Triple. It's pretty powerful for a beginner but if you take it easy, it's a wonderful bike with great reviews.

You really can't go wrong with just about any bike now.

Kinda like this Ninja 300, seems like there are lots of beginner bikes coming out. I'm partial to white to match my car lol.http://www.cycleworld.com/wp-content...94_R_OLRGB.jpg

Lots of cool bikes on the market. My recomendation would be to pick up something used for your first bike. Maybe a Honda CB600F. Available 04-07. Or anything else that catches your fancy.

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0600/...b600f-07c1.jpg

Just checked out Suzuki's website...the new SFV650 is nice too. The SV650 which it replaces has been a favorite for years for all types of riding. I would strongly consider one of those.

The Kawasaki Ninja650 is sweet, and it is available in white. Good luck picking just one!

If you buy a bike I've got two recommendations for you.

I don't know what the requirements are where you live but be sure to take a motorcycle safety course. They will teach you the basics of riding that you will be required to practice, practice and practice some more for the rest of your life.

Secondly, buy a used bike. There's a saying in the motorcycle community that there are two kinds of riders: those that have dropped their bikes and those that will drop their bikes. Being brand new to motorcycles you will drop your bike; trust me. The second reason to buy used is you're so new to the sport of riding that you haven't yet had the experience needed to develope likes and dislikes as to what kind of motorcycle you really want for the long haul. After you've ridden for a while you will have a keener focus on what you want your next bike to be.

I have a pretty good idea of what I speak. I rode for over 60 years and am a former MSF instructor.

Good luck.

I agree with this, and with @whaap. Like it or not, you are about 99% likely to drop your first bike. It may just be in a parking lot because you forgot to put the kickstand down, but it will happen.

The CB600F is a great bike. I had it's bigger brother the Hornet/CB900/919 (depends on where you live as to what it was called).

Also, my experience has been that used bikes are a far better deal than new. Prices drop like a rock immediately, than stabilize for years. My 919 I bought used with 500 miles on it for almost half of what it sold for new, kept it/rode it for 3 years and 10,000miles and sold it for basically what I paid for it.

Also, if you have one near you, go to a large used bike store and "try on" as many models as possible. That will immediately eliminate some from consideration. I'm fortunate to live near WOW Motorcycles. Sometimes I'll go in just to browse!

While I lived in Japan, I owned a CB400, and I gotta say... that was single-handedly the best bike I've ever owned (and I've owned a LOT of bikes!) even though it was only a 400cc inline, it made enough power to really have fun by oneself, or haul a passenger comfortably when needed. What's really pissed me off is that they don't sell that bike in America.

Then I saw your post just now. Well, after nearly creaming my man-panties with excitement, I got to reading the specs on this one, and... meh. I just don't get Honda's recent fascination with parallel-twins replacing their inline-4 Vtecs. Rode a bike with one just once, and hated it. If Honda wanted to their hand at the naked-bike market in America again, why didn't they just bring over the CB600F? Did they really think the American market didn't take to the naked-bike segment because the engines weren't crappy enough? :(

Update: Whoa, wait a second... After poking around Honda's website, I saw they're bringing over the CB1100! Okay, NOW I'm a happy camper!

I would probably go used but all these bikes msrp for under $5k which is pretty cheap, i doubt i would find something used that i liked anywhere around here for much less. Most of the used bikes i see are harleys or the crazy fast crotch rockets i don't want any part of yet.

what makes a bike a beginner bike?

Here's a few that might be worth considering in Arkansas.

Ninja 500r $3900
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...500R-105347708

Honda CRF230M $3700
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...230M-106220942

Honda CBR250R $3800
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...250R-107181687
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...250R-105204916
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...250r-107287010
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...250R-107288344

Ninja 250R $3500
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...250R-104853689

Bandit 600 $3000
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...-600-104600509